Tottenham Hotspur claimed back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since November 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend.
Manager Ange Postecoglou’s job has been under intense scrutiny over the past few weeks, but the club’s hierarchy has been steadfast in their decision to back him.
Their stance is based on the admission that the Australian manager has been dealt a terrible hand, losing a large chunk of his key players to injuries.
Tottenham had 11 first-team players sidelined due to injuries for the United game, including first-choice centre-back pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.
That is not to say the manager should not shoulder some of the blame for the club’s shameful performances and equally abysmal run of form.
Postecoglou has stuck to his guns out of stubbornness rather than conviction, hounding his players to maintain his one-dimensional approach even though he does not have the tools to pull it off.
However, it is no coincidence that Spurs have now won back-to-back games for the first time in three months after the return of some players.
James Maddison was involved in the win against United, netting the only goal to seal the three points, while Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert also got a taste of the action.
Tottenham fans can maybe start believing the club can still achieve something special as more familiar faces return from the sidelines.
Europe could offer salvation for Postecoglou
Postecoglou’s chances of living up to his promise of winning silverware in his second season took a devastating double blow as Spurs suffered two cup exits in the space of just three days.
A 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round compounded the misery of a heavy 4-0 defeat at Liverpool in the second leg of the League Cup semi-finals.
With Spurs languishing in 12th place in the Premier League, Postecoglou’s only remaining shot at a trophy this season rests on winning the Europa League, where they have progressed to the last-16.
The Australian manager arrived at Tottenham with a reputation for delivering success in his second season with a club, but winning the competition will not be easy.
Despite this, new Australian sports betting apps rate Tottenham as one of the favourites to win the Europa League, and Aussie punters may be tempted to keep the faith with their countryman.
Tottenham’s recent form could be a springboard towards a historic end to the season and odds of 6.00 to win the Europa League could be good value.
The manager’s attacking philosophy, once hailed for its fluidity and energy, has been questioned as Spurs have struggled to maintain consistency. However, it could be the key to success in Europe.
Postecoglou eager to deliver on his second season silverware promise
Postecoglou should be wise enough to know that an aggressive brand of football requires a squad brimming with world-class talent.
However, club talisman Heung-min Son is past his prime, while Van de Ven can barely stay fit.
Outside of those two, Spurs hardly have any players who can genuinely be considered elite.
Dejan Kulusevski has been a standout performer this season, while Maddison has shown flashes of brilliance in midfield.
But that is not enough to sustain success in the Premier League, especially when a team is as tactically vulnerable as Tottenham have been.
Postecoglou’s insistence on playing a high line, combined with his team’s inability to defend set-pieces effectively, has contributed to Spurs’ poor form.
He needs to understand that his side needs far more guile and pragmatism to compete in the upper echelons of the Premier League.
Postecoglou’s tactical performance in the domestic cup competitions has also raised questions about his ability to steer Spurs to the Europa League title.
He is understandably eager to deliver on his second season silverware promise, but may need to tweak his tactics if Tottenham are to have a realistic chance of lifting the trophy.
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